The makeup of the planetary science community does not reflect the full diversity of the United States, and in particular Black/African American, Indigenous, and Latinx communities are heavily underrepresented relative to the US labor force population (Rivera-Valentìn et al., 2020). Therefore, the DPS is offering funds to encourage and support participation of students, scientists, and other space professionals who are members of underrepresented racial and ethnic groups. In partnership with the National Society of Black Physicists (NSBP), awards are available for members of Black/African American, Indigenous, and/or Latinx communities to support attendance at the annual DPS meeting and/or the annual NSBP meeting. The fund is intended to support DPS and NSBP involvement, via some DPS or NSBP meeting travel (when meetings are in person and not virtual) and registration fees, and applicants may also request coverage for DPS or NSBP membership fees. The deadline for 2022 travel to DPS or NSBP has passed. Award notifications are planned by the end of August, and organizers are aware of and working around the Early registration deadline (August 18) and Presenters deadline (August 29).
Funds will be awarded in consultation with the DPS PCCS and NSBP. Since the DPS and NSBP have varied registration and membership fees depending on membership category, and since travel expenses vary from person to person, we ask applicants to summarize their funding requests. Since this program is intended to broaden participation in planetary science, those newer to the planetary science community will be given preference. Past awardees may receive awards in subsequent years. Participants in the DPS meeting are not required to submit an abstract to be eligible, do not need to be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and may apply to the Hartmann travel fund as well.
In addition to questions about the applicant, there are optional questions related to how applicants are learning of this program and how the application process can be improved. This is the second year of this DPS effort, and we appreciate feedback that will guide continued DPS work to support members of underrepresented racial and ethnic groups and increase the diversity and inclusivity of the planetary science community.
NOTE: We understand that unforeseen circumstances may lead to additional costs outside of your control. While we would endeavor to assist any grant recipients with unexpected costs, we cannot guarantee that additional funds would be available beyond the initial grant allocation. If the majority of your trip is funded through a DPS travel grant, we encourage you to investigate travel insurance, which for instance can be available through your credit card or home institution.